On May 20, 2025, the Etihad Stadium echoed with a bittersweet symphony of gratitude and farewell as Manchester City fans bid adieu to Kevin De Bruyne, their beloved “King Kev,” in his final home game against Bournemouth. The night was not just about the 3-1 victory that kept City’s Champions League hopes alive, but about honouring a player who redefined midfield mastery and etched his name as one of the greatest in the club’s history.
With a tifo flashing “King Kev” unfurled across the stands, a guard of honour, and a post-match presentation featuring a lifelong season ticket handed over by the family of club legend Colin Bell, the evening was a fitting tribute to a man who has been the heartbeat of City’s golden era. With de Bruyne in tears, Pep Guardiola shedding a few and Etihad Stadium singing along, the Belgian walked his last steps at the venue which was his home for a decade.
Since joining Manchester City from Wolfsburg in 2015 for £55 million, De Bruyne has been the architect of an unprecedented run of success, amassing 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, a UEFA Champions League, a Super Cup, and a Club World Cup.
Once labelled as a “Chelsea flop”, his 420 appearances yielded 108 goals and 177 assists, numbers that only hint at the brilliance of his vision, precision, and relentless drive. Guardiola, who called De Bruyne the “second-best passer” he’s ever seen, behind only Lionel Messi, summed it up best: “What he has done with other legends in the club, it would not have been possible to reach another level.”
De Bruyne’s decade at City is packed with unstoppable whipped crosses, impossible-to-defend final balls, many of which turned the tide in pivotal matches and title races.
In his first full season, De Bruyne announced himself as a Premier League force. His stunning free kick against Barcelona in a 3-1 Champions League win, marked his entry into the big league of players.
The Belgian was the linchpin of City’s record-breaking 100-point Premier League season. His thunderbolt against Chelsea in a 1-0 win was a statement of intent, while his left-footed strike against Tottenham, gesturing “two-one” with his fingers, epitomised his swagger. His 16 assists that season, coupled with eight goals, earned him the first of two Premier League Player of the Season awards.
Perhaps no moment encapsulates De Bruyne’s clutch brilliance like the 2022 comeback against Aston Villa. Trailing 2-0 with the Premier League title on the line, De Bruyne sparked a legendary turnaround, assisting Ilkay Gundogan’s winner in a 3-2 victory that clinched City’s fourth title in five years, and completed a comeback of ages. His ability to seize the moment under pressure was unmatched, and that has been the hallmark of his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite battling a hamstring injury, De Bruyne’s contributions in the 2022-23 treble-winning season were monumental. His three-goal contribution (a goal and two assists) against Arsenal, in a 4-1 rout, crushed the Gunners’ title hopes. In the Champions League semi-finals against Real Madrid, he struck a 25-yard rocket to keep City alive, and his assists in the FA Cup final and second leg against Madrid were pivotal in securing the treble. While he won the historic treble, he really couldn’t return to his peak after a devastating hamstring injury.
Even in his final season, De Bruyne proved his enduring quality. His free-kick goal and assist in a 5-2 comeback against Crystal Palace, showcased his class, while his decisive strike against Wolves, kept City’s Champions League hopes alive. Against Bournemouth in his Etihad farewell, he captained the side, dictating play with his trademark vision, though he didn’t add to his seven-goal involvements (three goals, four assists) against the Cherries in prior Premier League clashes.
De Bruyne’s impact is not merely down to statistics. His strikers’ dream passing, described as “impossible to defend” by analysts, saw him amass 118 Premier League assists, second only to Ryan Giggs, with the best minutes-per-assist ratio in the competition’s history (177 minutes). His ability to thread passes from any angle, combined with his knack for scoring screamers against top sides like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Arsenal, made him a nightmare for opponents. His bond with fans, who serenaded him with “Ohh Kevin De Bruyne” to the tune of Seven Nation Army, cemented his status as a City legend.
The Bournemouth match was a celebration of De Bruyne’s legacy. Fans arrived early, chanting his name as he walked his final steps into the Etihad. A special-edition matchday programme, adorned with De Bruyne’s image, was sold out as supporters clamored for a memento.
Post-match, the club announced that it would be erecting his statue outside the Etihad Stadium, while unveiling a mosaic at the City Football Academy and renaming a road as “Kevin De Bruyne Crescent”. The light show highlighting his best moments, messages from former City teammates and his heartfelt speech to the fans left few dry eyes in the stadium.
As De Bruyne prepares for his final City game against Fulham, City face the daunting task of replacing the irreplaceable. Guardiola admitted, “It’s almost impossible to replace this kind of player.” Yet, De Bruyne’s parting words reflected his love for the club: “This club, this city, these people gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back. And guess what? We won everything.”
Kevin De Bruyne leaves Manchester City not just as a player, but as a legend who elevated the club to new heights. His vision, his goals and his assists will forever be woven into the sky-blue fabric of the Etihad. Thank you, King Kev, for a decade of magic.